Mikel Arteta’s 6 Forward Signings Ranked From Best to Worst

Mikel Arteta's attacking signings at Arsenal have shown inconsistency, with Raheem Sterling and Willian considered particularly poor additions. This trend may influence punters to bet against Arsenal's attacking capabilities in upcoming matches, considering the likelihood of continued struggles in scoring.

Mikel Arteta's six attacking signings at Arsenal have been ranked. Many have complained about the lack of firepower at the Emirates since Arteta's arrival. None of the strikers have scored more than 30 goals for the club.

If there is one criticism that has often come the way of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side during the Spaniard's time in charge at the club, it is often centred around his attacking line. While he is fortunate to have his starboy in Bukayo Saka, the rest of his firepower often flatters to deceive, and many believe this is the area that needs strengthening above all else in the squad.

Incredibly, since taking over in 2019, Arteta has only signed six attackers to bolster his options, and with rumours regarding the likes of Rodrygo, Noni Madueke, and Viktor Gyokeres this summer, it's safe to say that the bar would not be particularly high for them. With that in mind, we have decided to look and see just how bad some of these deals were and see how many of them can at least hold their head high.

The Gunners’ entire first XI could all get injured, but Mikel Arteta could still name an incredibly strong B team.

6. Marquinhos
   Back in 2022, Arsenal were eyeing up a couple of young wingers to bring into the club. One was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who would go on to become one of the deadliest wide men in world football within the next three years. They opted against the Georgian though and instead signed Marquinhos. There were early signs that the Brazilian had potential, but it ultimately amounted to nothing as he would make just six senior appearances for the Gunners. Several loan spells later, he returned to his homeland on a permanent basis in 2025, with Arsenal fans left wondering what could've happened if Arteta had just gone for Kvaratskhelia.

Arsenal's greatest shortcoming in recent years has been not getting the best out of their forwards, but they haven't helped themselves at all.

5. Raheem Sterling
   The last thing anyone predicted during the 2024 summer transfer window was for Raheem Sterling to end up in North London. The England international had lost his way at Chelsea, but optimists may have hoped that reuniting with Arteta - whom he had worked with during the Spaniard’s time as Manchester City assistant - could help him recapture his old spark. It didn’t. There were no signs of the 20-goal-a-season Sterling, and despite his claims, there was little evidence Arteta truly trusted him. By the end of his loan, he was being labelled Arteta’s worst-ever signing, and the Gunners didn’t bring him back after the temporary spell.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have spent much less than the likes of Premier League trumvirate Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

4. Willian
   Arsenal fans do not like signing players from Chelsea – which means that should they secure a deal for Madueke, he will face an uphill task in winning fans over. However, most of the time this is because they feel the players they get from Stamford Bridge are past their best, and one of the prime examples of that is Willian. By the time he arrived, Petr Cech and David Luiz had already made the same move with mixed success. After just one goal in 37 appearances, fan perception of the Brazilian winger was poor. His contract was cut short, and he returned to his native country - though he did later enjoy a better spell at Fulham.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Willian's only goal for Arsenal came in his final Premier League appearance for the club.

3. Gabriel Jesus
   When Gabriel Jesus was signed from Manchester City in 2022, there was some genuine excitement. This was a player who seemed Premier League-proven, had previously had 20-goal seasons at the Etihad and worked under Arteta en route to winning league titles. This was a coup and was meant to take the Gunners to the next level. And while there have been bursts of promise, namely against Crystal Palace who he seems to love scoring against, it really hasn't transpired the way his £45 million fee would've suggested it would have. Poor form in front of goal and consistent injuries have meant that he has found himself either on the sidelines or left on the bench when fit, with other options who aren't even natural strikers being preferred to him. Scoring goals comes naturally to some but scoring a host of goals without losing is on another level.

Here at 10 players that have done just that.

2. Kai Havertz
   Of the six attackers that Arteta has signed, Kai Havertz is the top scorer with 29 goals. Yet, that's not exactly something to shout about given the competition and certainly isn't indicative of him being a standout player. The German's role isn't to be a focal point, but his general lack of cutting edge in front of goal since his arrival has often been a point of contention. It goes without saying that the criticisms and abuse that the former Chelsea man has faced is too far and there are no excuses for it. But it does not change the fact that he has not produced to the level needed of him for most of his tenure at the Emirates.

3. Leandro Trossard
   He may not start every week, but when you compare Leandro Trossard's impact on Arsenal since signing to other arrivals - relative to the expectations placed on him when he joined—the Belgian is arguably the only one who can say he has lived up to it. There have been times where the former Brighton man has understandably been frustrated at being left out, especially when Gabriel Martinelli was out of form. Yet, given that football is a young man's game, it is the 30-year-old, widely regarded as Arteta's best attacking signing so far, who seems the most likely to depart to make way for new additions.

   Mikel Arteta's six attacking signings at Arsenal have been ranked worst to best.

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